Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Best Day Ever

Hi Creative Friends!

Hope you've had a fantastic week!

*Don't forget today's the last day to upload your 'All About Me' challenge creations over at 

Deer & Fawn Designs blog*

Today I wanted to share with you a really sweet and simple layout I created of my darling daughter, that uses up some of that trickier heavy patterned paper....

'Best Day Ever'

Isn't she lovely?! Such a beautiful young lady!

As usual I am scrapping from my Cocoa Vanilla Studio stash, and I love the 

Life Is Beautiful collection.

Infact, I love it so much that this patterned paper is all I have left! lol!

This paper is sooooo fun and pretty but I have struggled to use it. 

It's just so bold and busy that I never know where to start?

You may have some of these 'heavily' patterned papers at home too -

 you know the ones, really pretty but how to use them?

Well, that's how today's layout came about. I was determined to use this pretty paper!

For my layout design I wanted to show off the gorgeous paper, so I've kept it as a real page feature.

TIP: Use busy pattern papers in large blocks and combine with very simple embellishing.

I chose to 'dress' my photo rather than the page, and kept it minimal! 

A couple sweet doilies, 3 hearts and a flair button, a small ephemera title and a scatter of sequins is all this page needed to be complete.

So pretty!!! Love it!

Speaking of love, check out those super cute hearts.....

The printed wood veneers (as well as that cute flair button) are from the Life Is Beautiful collection & are just too sweet! They make embellishing your pages too easy!

That larger handmade heart is from Charms Creations & is just lovely.

You can see all of the Charms Creations embellishments here.

& there you have it!

Hope my liked my layout and,

 that I've inspired you to try using some of that busier patterned paper too!

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Life Is Beautiful: Happy

Hi Lovelies! 

Welcome back for another oh-so-pretty Life Is Beautiful layout to inspire you!

It's of my two darlings and is just the most precious photo I had to scrap it straight away!

Here's my page,

"Happy"

Told you it was oh-so-pretty! Isn't this the sweetest page?!

It has a real softness to it, despite being quite monochromatic.

To be honest, I am so in love with this collection that I don't have many papers left  - hence my 'using up my scraps' design!

By drawing on all the gorgeous blue tones in the collection I've avoided my layout looking like it is a leftovers page,

& I have had a ton of fun playing with all the blue embellies to 'dress' the page.

With so many terrific colour combos within the Life Is Beautiful collection, this design could be used over again. So Cool!

Let's take a closer look....

And aren't those blue embellishments divine?!!

From the die cut ephemera, to way too pretty blooms & my personal faves; the Little Pretties (resin pastel roses)

Life Is Beautiful has adornments sorted!

Oh, and that navy bitty bow is just the cutest! It balances those softer blue tones in the cluster perfectly too!

Did I mention that I am loving the sequins as well?  A touch of bling and playfulness! Yes please!!!

And that die cut ephemera title just partners perfectly.

And I added the alphabet stickers for a subtitle too - xox, too sweet!

As my layout is quite 'clean' and relatively flat, I added stitching, cotton and staples for a gentle textural touch.

But mostly, I really just had 'the blues', lol!

Those blue embellishments really do make my page.

And there you have it!

A monochromatic, left overs page that is soft, feminine, and a lil too pretty!

Hope you liked it & feel inspired to get creating with your Cocoa Vanilla Studio stash!

Thanks for visiting,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Kaisercraft: Masculine Layout Challenge

Hi Happy Arty Days Fans!

Hope you're well & getting plenty of time to create ;)

Kaisercraft set a super fun challenge for the DT this month - 

to create a masculine / boy inspired layout using the very feminine, Fairy Dust collection.

Naturally, I was all over this challenge! 

Here's what I came up with...

"Cherish"

I know - seriously cute stuff, huh?!!

Love this lil guy - he really does take the challenge out of scrapping the boys!

Love the fresh and contemporary feel of this page too!

You'd never guess it was from a fairy inspired collection. 

Lots of other Kaisercraft yummies here;

dies, clear stickers, enamel stickers, collectables... Awesome!

But don't just look at my creation, click here to see the entire post 

& to be inspired by our incredibly team!

Hope you liked my take on the challenge!

Thanks for stopping by & taking a peak,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Boys Will Be Boys!

Hi Scrappy Friends!

Hope you've all been having a fabulous week!

I've been scrapping my boy again,
actually both my boys - darling husband features in this one too!

& I set myself a challenge too -  NO COLOUR.

I know, what was I thinking???

I am hoping I pulled it off - but you be the judge,

Here's my page.....

Boys Will Be Boys

It's a tad monochromatic, lol, but I love it! 

Such a difficult challenge to not use colour!!!

To create this super cool masculine page I've used that incredible 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio collection, 

Made Of Awesome.

It's just too easy to scrap the boys with this paper and embellies!

Here's a closer peak....

Love that mini bingo stub ticket and that too cute grey enamel star! Very cool!

I've also used a very light grey mist in the background too - unfortunately it's quite hard to photograph pale grey! 

Hopefully you can see it!

Yep, my boys being, well.... Boys! ;)

Have you scrapped your boys lately? 

Or maybe you'd like to try my challenge of scrapping with No Colour! 

Either way, I hope I've inspired you to go and get crafty!

Thankyou so much for stopping by!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Scrapping My Boy!

Hi Lovelies!

Hope you've all had a fabulous week!

I've just returned from a fantastic lil 'glamping' getaway with my gorgeous family. 

I know, super lucky me! 

& I  have just a few awesome memories to scrap! 

Today's page is of my gorgeous 3yr old -  Mister A for Awesome - stuck in the maze! 

He said, "Think we might be a little stuck here" lol! Such a fun day!

Anways, enough chattering about it - here's my layout capturing that moment....

"You Rock"

Isn't this such a fun page?!!! Just screams 'happy boy fun!' 

& how cute is Mr A? Love this pic of him peering through the maze trying to find a way out!

Oh yeah boy, you so ROCK!

As usual, I am scrapping from my stash of delightful Cocoa Vanilla Studio goodies. 

I've used the aptly titled, "Made Of Awesome" collection to create this all-boy layout.

Let's take a closer look.....

So much paper yummies here! Love the patterned papers - but it's the cool ephemera that gets me!

Seriously cool embellies for boys! And that flair button says it all!

Even those sequins are fun! You'll find everything you see on this layout in the 

Made of Awesome collection here. 

(Well, except for the straw, staples and mist - they're from my stash.)

Here's another close up peak......

Oh yeah! How good is that Lucky Charm Camera? 

& the 3/3 card is the perfect adornment for a Mister A page!

Wow! 

So much fun to scrap the boys!

Speaking of scrapping,

 you've still plenty of time to still upload your creations to the 

Deer & Fawn Designs blog for their October Challenge 

- just remember the theme is "All About Me".

You can see my take on it here.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a little look-see at my creating!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Hello Happy Days!

Hello Lovelies!

OMgoodness! Let's start with the most exciting news this week -

New Cocoa Vanilla Studio Collections Coming Soon!!!

Free Spirit

Hello Sunshine

How amazing are Zoe's sneak peaks of the new collections?

I know - absolutely stunning and I can't wait to get my crafty fingers on both of them! *happy sigh!*

But while we wait - somewhat impatiently (lol!) - here's another super cool masculine layout that I've created with my all time favourite scrapbook collection, Life Is Beautiful.....

"Hello Happy Days"

Isn't this such a fun page? Really super cool!!!

So many bright and happy elements that make this feminine collection perfect for the little men in our lives too!

Let's take a closer look.....

I love die cut ephemera - it is without a doubt my go to embellishment & the ephemera in Life Is Beautiful wins me over everytime!

I mean, seriously, how fun (& cute!) is that bunting? Love it!!!

My other favourite embellies at the moment are flair buttons and enamel dots.......

Those buttons are so cool! I love how the orange on this button pops against the blue patterned paper - gorgeous!

& while we are mentioning papers, I've used the reverse side of CV-LB004 'Happiness Is'.

I love this paper! The geometric pattern is perfect for boy pages & the colour, well, the colour is just awesome!

I've also featured a fabulous alpha cut file on this layout from our friends at The Cut Shoppe. Love it too? It's called, 'Little Letters' and you can find it here.

Here's one last close up for you.... check out the design on the wood veneer - so cool!

Yep, Life Is Beautiful is definitely my favourite collection of all time! Fun papers, cool designs, perfect colour palette & delicious embellishments - what more could I ever want?

Oh yeah, those new collections - Want, want, want! LOL!

Be sure to follow Cocoa Vanilla Studio on Facebook to be kept up-to-date with the latest news ;)

Thanks for stopping by & leaving a comment - it means so much!

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Spring Inspiration!

Hello my Ccreative Lovelies!

Hope you've all been having a fabulous week & 

are enjoying the beautiful Spring weather!

The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming - it's such a fabulous time of the year! 

And it's a perfect time to scrap too! Lol! (Any excuse will do!) 

But seriously, the layout I am sharing with you today has taken its cue from Spring.

Soft spring colours, blooms, butterflies....

 but enough chattering, & on to the good stuff!

Here's my layout,

"Just Perfect"

And truly, she is! (Just perfect) - A real sweetie!

She is so kind and innocent & this delicate colour palette reflects that. 

Isn't that patterned paper just the prettiest?!!

A gorgeously girly, Spring inspired, page for my darling Miss M! 

Love it! 

My entire page has been created with the stunning new
 Cocoa Vanilla Studio, "Life Is Beautiful" collection.

A soft, feminine range that is so delicate and delightful!

How sweet are all those butterflies?! 

I am loving those wooden veneers! Divine!

Here's a closer look.....

And even that Lucky Charm butterfly tucked under my flower cluster - gorgeous!

I am also an enormous fan of pattern papers and ephemera.... 

But you've probably noticed that!

Let's take another close up look...

Yep. Love it! 

It's softness & light, delicate and divine, and really flatters my darling photo!

Spring has sprung  & it's inspiration overload!

Hope you enjoyed my creation today!

Time for you to get creating now - maybe even be inspired by nature too!

Thanks for stopping by, 

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Scrapping From My Stash :)

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

How has your long weekend been?

I've been super busy having loads of fun with my darlings,

 but I did squeeze in a minute or two, to create this sweet page as part of the

 10 Day Use Your Stash Challenge....

"Adore"

Isn't this lovely?!

A super quick page that dug into my gorgeous collection of Crate Paper Inc...

Realised I may have a slight obsession with Crate Paper - boxes of it - too pretty to use..lol!

Well, I'm determined to use it now with lots of happy snaps of my two darlings.

The challenge was to use at least two hoarded papers, feature some kind/type of border and at least 2 unopened embellies.

The border is that cute Maggie Holmes frame, and as for the embellies; the too cute chipboard stickers (what was I keeping that cute camera for?!!)  & the Amy Tangerine Thickers.

Very cool, but so pleased I've busted them open...no turning back now ;)

Here's a few close ups.....

Aren't they the sweetest?!! Love these 2!

This is real life & it is pretty awesome!

Oh that camera is divine! And I love the peg with the clipped ephemera too!

That flair button was also from my stash... 

But how good are those thickers?!! 

No wonder I was saving them for something special...lol!

So good to scrap from your stash every now & then! Find all sorts of lovelies you'd forgotten about!

Anyways, thanks for stopping by and taking a peak!

Have a scraptastic week!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

#31 Minutes For 31 Days

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for stopping by to see what I've been up to!

The gorgeous, Kellie Winnell of Give A Girl A Blog & Jessica Upton of Color Cast Designs have brainstormed a lil beauty of a project -
#31minutesfor31days
  Basically, it is about taking a minute out of each day to document the here & now.
Anyways, I needed to get back to a photo a day,
so I thought this might be the fun kickstart I needed, lol!

Here's my insta-mini thus far...

A cute pic of some of my supplies...

Love that WeRMemoryKeepers Insta album - so cute! 

And it's the perfect size for those daily instagram pics!

Here's the inside cover and opening page....

I am using up bits n pieces from my stash - but you'll spy lots of Kaisercraft, Hello Today collection & Typo wood veneers throughout ;)

Day #1

 How divine is this?!!

Yep. Love this! But I also had a couple more photos from the day that I wanted to include...

So very cute, indeed!

Have you picked up on my colour theme?!
Love black, white, aqua & yellow together - really striking and gender neutral too!

Day #2

School holidays chillaxing!

 

Day #3

A day at the beach is always well spent....

So cool.
As you can see I'm having loads of fun documenting October - or as I like to call it, Rock-tober! ;)
If you want to know more about #31minutesfor31days click here.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peak.
I'll be blogging this insta-mini when I can -
BUT if you really want to keep up-to-date with where I'm up to, please follow me on Instagram here.

Thankyou!

til next time,
Happy Arty Days,
Amanda xo

Kaisercraft October Creations

Hi Creatives!

Welcome back for more inspiration with the three stunning Kaisercraft collections for October!

 As usual, I got a lil excited and may have created just a 'few' projects....

So go make yourself a cuppa, sit back, relax and enjoy my creative take on the new Kaisercraft collections!

Let's start today with the beautiful Ma Cherie.............

Such a very pretty collection to create with! An all-time favourite for me - it's soooooo lovely!

Here's some of what I've created with it....

"Always In My Heart"

While this collection is full of pretty pinks, I was immediately drawn to those blue greys - so subtle and soft!

Kaisercraft Products: CD101 | Coconut, P1958 | Fancy, PP982 | Paper Pad, CT841 | Collectables, RS406 | Blue Grey, F647 | Iceberg, F630 | Iceberg, T630 | Mounting Foam Dots.

I also really loved the delicacy of this collection and wanted to create a couple of really contemporary,

but-oh-so-pretty, 8.5" x 11" layouts with it....

"LOVELY"

I know, a really simple design, but how stunningly pretty! Really elegant!

Kaisercraft Products: CD101 | Coconut, P1955 | Beauty, PP982 | Paper Pad, SS297 | Sticker Sheet, CT841 | Collectables, EM969 | Blossoms-Dahlia, RS404 | Champagne.

"FOREVER"

Isn't this a pretty & fresh look?

Inspired by Spring and all those gorgeous blooms - another contemporary design that is so easy to recreate!

Kaisercraft Products: CD101 | Coconut, PP982 | Paper Pad, CT841 | Collectables, SS297 | Sticker Sheet, PT222 | Printed Tape-Lace, SB709 | Yellow.

Other: Tag & twine.

Want to see more with this divinely pretty collection?

Here's a taste of what you'll see if you

 click here to visit my DT finalist entry.

 I was lucky enough to sample this collection early!

As well as layouts, I created lots of cards with it too!

There's no doubt about it - Ma Cherie is by far, the prettiest collection around!

Next up, let's find a lil magic and be transported to an enchanted garden with Fairy Dust...

A really sweet collection for all those magical moments!

I wanted to show the versatility of Fairy Dust, so I created this fresh and inspiring page...

"You Are Beautiful"

Awesome, huh?!

I really love the clean and contemporary feel - perfect for scrapping our innocent ones!

Kaisercraft Products: CD101 | Coconut, P1964 | Magic Wand, P1965 | Enchanted, P1970 | Whispers, CT842 | Collectables, SS298 | Sticker Sheet, ST929 | Clear Sticker-Inspirational, KM105 | Turquoise. 

Other: Sewing, doily.

Here's another modern 8.5" x 11" layout....

"Beautiful"

Pretty papers!

But how cool is that vellum die cut fairy embellishment?!!

The fairy die (DD340) is a new release one for Kaisercraft, &  is just gorgeous!

Kaisercraft Products: CD101 | Coconut, P1970 | Whispers, PP983 | Paper Pad, CT842 | Collectables, SS298 | Sticker Sheet, EM405 | Paper Doilies, DD340 | Fairy, FL341 | Wooden Flourishes-Magical Butterflies.

Other: vellum.

Time for some cards!

"Thinking Of You"

Kaisercraft Products: CD101 | Coconut, PP983 | Paper Pad, CT842 | Collectables, SS298 | Sticker Sheet, SB785 | Lavender.

Other: Pom pom trim.

"Thankyou"

Love that Ornate Frame Embossing Folder! Quite exquisite!

Kaisercraft Products: CD101 | Coconut, PP983 | Paper Pad, CT842 | Collectables, EM430 | Just For You Pink Tag Pack, EF220 | Ornate Frame, SB705 | Lilac.

Other: Vellum & peg.

"Our Story"

Kaisercraft Products: CD101 | Coconut, PP983 | Paper Pad, CT842 | Collectables, SS298 | Sticker Sheet, SB785 | Lavender, EM405 | Paper Doilies.

I have also created 3 more Fairy Dust layouts for Kaisercraft - but you'll need to keep an eye out for them on this blog this month ;)

And last,  but certainly not least!

Let's celebrate a bit of Christmas festivity with Holly Jolly...

 Holly Jolly is definitely the most FUN Christmas collection of the year!

I absolutely LOVE this Christmas collection - it's very modern, & perfect for happy scrapping!

Here's my creations.....

"JOY" 

How cute are those Christmas tree collectables & mini stocking wooden flourishes?!

Told you this collection was fun!

Kaisercraft Products: CD134 | Tomato, P1944 | Hearty, CT840 | Collectables, FL457 | Mini Stockings, PT218 | Candy Stripe, KC009 | Red.

Other: Twine, staples.

"The Naughty List"

Isn't this the coolest?! Again, very contemporary but such fun too!

Here's a closer look....

Love it!

Kaisercraft Products: CD101 | Coconut, P1949 | Zippy, P1952 | Zingy, CT840 | Collectables, FL497 | Tags, KM110 | Pink.

Other: Twine, staples.

"Santas Little Helper"

Another really fun page! I challenged myself to create a layout with no more than 5 products -

so this is a really cute, but also frugal page to recreate!

Kaisercraft Products: CD101 | Coconut, P1946 | Joyous, P1949 | Zippy, CT840 | Collectables.

Time for a couple beyond the page creations!

"Christmas Bon Bon Cracker"

How cute is this?! Best part - it even opens and closes.

I am going to make a set of these to use as beautiful teacher gifts - love it!

Kaisercraft Products: SB2311 | Bon Bon, P1950 | Sprightly, CT840 | Colllectables, FL457 | Mini Stockings, F669 | Fire Red, KC001 | White.

Other: Ribbon, white.

And my last creation that I am sharing with you today is a work in progress....

That is, I am actually making this little album for me (& mine). I will add photos & ephemera to this as they happen.

But here's the idea...

"December Daily" 3 Window Display Album

So the cover is finished, & isn't it cute?!

Here's the next page...

Oh yeah! This is why I LOVE this collection - it so rocks for December Daily!

And next page...

 I made an envelope from Kraft cardstock to keep all our lil memory ephemera in & I have started on my pockets with the Captured Moments Cards!

Next page...

So you can see where this album is headed - there will be lots of photos, journalling and clipped in bits and pieces everywhere! Christmas recipes and baking pics, Letters for Santa, Carols by Candlelight - you get the idea.

Super cool! I LOVE this album and can't wait to fill it!

And if you're not familiar with December Daily Albums, you can follow me here on Pinterest - I have a board devoted totally to this kind of album! (Including lists of what to do each day) :)

Kaisercraft Products: SB2296 | 3 Window Display Album, M009 | 3.5cm Silver Album Rings, P1945 | Cheery, P1946 | Joyous, P1949 | Zippy, CM601 | Mistletoe Kisses Captured Moments Kit, EM427 | Tag Pack, SS296 | Sticker Sheet, CB108 | Alpha #2, IP719 | Black, PT219 | Printed Tape-Holly, FL441 | Wooden Flourishes-Pennants, CD651 | Kraft Cardstock.

Other: Paperclips, sequins, sewing, ribbon.

WOW!

Another aaahmazing month of collections at Kaisercraft!

Thankyou for visiting and leaving a comment,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo